I’ve been asked by both adults and teens, how am I able to write an authentic teen experience, as I’m obviously well beyond my teen years. My answer is always the same: My primary responsibility as a writer, is to write a teen character that’s true to my story and the fictional world I’ve developed. [ Read the full article… ]
Category: Bookshelf Reflections
The beauty of words
You hear it all the time now, every time you turn on the radio. Syncopated rhythms, heavy beats, words laced together at an alarming speed. But where many people hear blasting music and demeaning lyrics , I hear alliteration, assonance, and allegory. Simply put, I hear poetry. Of course, I’m not saying that there aren’t a [ Read the full article… ]
What’s on Your Christmas List?
Last week I discovered a quote from Lenore Hershey, the former editor of McCall’s and Ladies Home Journal magazines, where she in her sage wisdom advised us, “Do give books – religious or otherwise – for Christmas. They’re never fattening, seldom sinful, and permanently personal.” Now of course, I agree with her words, as both [ Read the full article… ]
Giving Thanks
I struggled with what to share today. I have so much to be thankful for. Thanksgiving has always held a special place in my heart. It’s a time for celebrating family and community, breaking bread, counting blessings and giving praise. Where would I start? But then I thought about why I write for children, how books make [ Read the full article… ]
Do You Want a Revolution?
“You had me at hello!” That’s what I said to Paula on 9.19.07 when she sent me an e-mail asking me to consider an invitation to join The Brown Bookshelf. Honestly, there was never anything to consider. I knew from conversations with Paula that she would not be a part of anything that would be [ Read the full article… ]
Show Time
When I first heard that less than two percent of children’s books published last year were written by African American authors, I was shocked. I felt blessed to be a published, black children’s book author, but saddened there were still so few of us in print. Sometimes we’re faced with big issues and it feels [ Read the full article… ]
Change begins in my own backyard
When Varian first explained to me the concept behind the Brown Bookshelf — to highlight other African American writers and illustrators of children’s literature — I was ecstatic. Chills rolled down my back as I read his invitation to serve as a committee member. I don’t say that for dramatic flair, I really had goosebumps. [ Read the full article… ]